Family Friendly Festivals and Events Around Milwaukee

Shila said:  Morning never felt so good. A unique treat featuring Riveredge’s 100% pure maple syrup, all you can eat pancakes made with organic flour along with ham, coffee, and other beverages. With a live band, expect a party! Dress for the weather as the event held outdoors at the evaporator in Riveredge’s Sugarbush. Registration required.

Cost: $12 for adults and $8 for kids (2-12), discounts available for members

9 am - 1 pm

Shila said:  Riveredge’s Maple Sugarin’ Festival will take you on a journey through the sugarbush. Along the way, you’ll learn how to tap a maple tree, observe live demonstrations, participate in hands-on activities, enjoy music & more! See how sap is transformed into syrup & enjoy pancakes with 100% pure Riveredge maple syrup. Lunch & refreshments are available for purchase. They'll also have a live blacksmith branding demonstration, syrup tasting, indoor crafts and games, make your own pancake mix, tree tapping treks, music and more! Registration recommended.

Cost: $10 - $12 per person for non-members

Shila said:  Shaolin Center of Waukesha will be performing a traditional Chinese Lion Dance outside on the restaurant's parking lot. Onlookers are treated to a colorful and engaging show, as well as opportunities to feed the lions, take pictures and win prizes. This show pairs well with treating your family to lunch and dining in together at this award-winning show.

Cost: free

1:30 pm

Molly Weber said:  Grand Geneva's Winter Carnival will be a day packed with activities for the whole family to enjoy including ice skating, sledding, face painting, games, and fireworks to name just a few! Lift tickets are available for purchase for anyone interested in adding in some skiing or snowboarding during the day. Everyone is welcome to end the night while enjoying some live entertainment.

Cost: kids activities and fireworks are free. Ice skating and sledding are free with your own equipment (equipment available for rental at a fee). Normal lift ticket pricing applies.

9 am - 8 pm

Lisa R said:  School is out, but that doesn't mean kids have to sit at home. The Museum of Wisconsin Art has planned a packed week of art making activities for school aged kids. Drop in any time for a free cup of hot chocolate and stay for crafts, live music, scavenger hunts and more.

10 am - 5 pm

Lisa R said:  Every Grandparent's Day (the Second Saturday in September), MOWA hosts a special book reading and signing with a Wisconsin based author or illustrator. Past guests of honors have included author/illustrators Barbara Joosse and Bonnie Leick. Kid friendly activities will be planned in conjunction with the event.

10 am - 1 pm

Lisa R said:  The Art & Chalk Fest is back after welcoming more than 10,000 visitors to their inaugural festival in 2017. Families can tour artists booths and watch in awe as artists cover the ground with huge chalk murals. The event promises art activity for all ages, live music and food vendors.

Sat 9 am - 5 pm & Sun 10 am - 4 pm

Shila said:  Bring the family and enjoy a day outdoors! Come see maple trees tapped, sap drip - drip - dripping into the bags fastened to the trees and steam hovering above the boiler while the sap bubbles. In addition to maple syrup demonstrations, they'll have blacksmithing demonstrations, story times, and much more! They'll even have maple syrup cotton candy! Food available for purchase.

Cost: free admission, tours of mill & mill house are $5 per person

11 am - 4 pm

Come dressed in your Halloween costume to skate indoors this fall with Halloween DJ Skate at the Mullett Ice Center. There will be food, prizes, memorable costumes, and is a family-friendly, non-scary way to celebrate Halloween by doing something active before the actual holiday.

6 pm - 8:30 pm

Shila said:  Join the community the road, behind the Town Hall Library for the annual Touch-A-Truck. All sorts of different vehicles will be there for you to photograph and climb on and in.

10 am - 12 pm

Erynn said:  This event includes offerings such as patriotic readings, live music, a pie eating contest, make & taste ice cream, and games. Compete in the greased pole contest, or just show up in time for the History Parade!

10 am - 5 pm

Hannah Scott said:  If you have a train-obsessed kiddo, you will NOT want to miss the 12th annual Delavan Train Show! Located just west of Milwaukee, Delavan is a small town that assembles over 40 model train displays to different local businesses. You can park for free, ride a trolley between exhibits (also free), enter raffles and giveaways, complete an "I Spy" of characters and details in the layouts, and even operate some of the models with interactive buttons and levers. This event is a winner for all ages (and budgets)!

Saturday 9AM - 4PM

Sunday 10AM - 4PM

Shila said:  Join the Cambridge Community for its annual Touch-A-Truck event. See vehicles up close and hands on, including emergency and military vehicles, farm equipment, race cars and more. Other activities include bouncy house, face painting and balloons.

Cost: Free admission

10 am - 12 pm